Gotland

Summer 2012

Introduction

In late June 2012 I took a long overdue holiday to Gotland (via Stockholm) which is a beautiful island off the east coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea. Although some parts of Gotland to the north of the island are popular with Swedes as a holiday destination, the south is far more “off the beaten track” and we were fortunate enough to be staying at my friends summer house in Fide in the south.

As a Londoner I don't get to see a lot of wide open spaces and big panoramic skyscapes so I went a bit crazy photographing everything. This page is a kind of photo diary of my trip. All pics were taken with my iPhone4.

Hoburgen

People walking along the edge of Hoburgsgubben as the mist rolls in from the sea.Looking out to sea from the base of the rocks.

Hoburgen is a rocky peninsula on the southern tip of Gotland. The rock formation is nick-named Hoburgsgubben and is fabled to be an old man looking out to sea.

Holmhällar

One of the many rock formations in Holmhällar.

Holmhällar is a rocky beach in the far south east corner of the island with seemingly endless curious rock formations and shallow pools.

Fabriken Furillen

An old abandoned quarry building in the grounds of the hotel.

We stopped off one morning for a coffee at Fabriken Furillen which is a hotel situated on the site of an old quarry. The hotel's surroundings have a beautiful yet very bleak, almost eerie quality and the abandoned limestone refinery has a certain lunar landscape feel to it that I really liked.

Kutens Bensin — Fårö

One of the many rusty old pieces of Americana that greet you at Kutens Bensin.An old kiosk by the entrance to the restaurant.

Kutens Bensin is a gas station and crêperie on the island of Fårö to the very north of Gotland. It is well known for the bizarre array of rusty old cars, motorbikes, fridges, petrol pumps, signage and anything else old and/or American that are scattered all over the place. It is quite a surreal place and the crêpes are fantastic and all named after famous actors (I had the Brando).

Blå Lagun

Blå Lagun is an old quarry site repurposed as a beach and barbeque area.

Blå Lagun (or Blue Lagoon) is a stunningly picturesque old quarry site that has been reclaimed and reimagined as a public bathing and barbeque area. The water is turquoise blue and warm(ish) as it's an inland lake with no rivers coming in or out.

Visby

One of the medieval turrets of the town wall.

Although the medieval town of Visby is the most well known part of Gotland we only went there briefly while we were waiting for the ferry home. The town is encased by a castle wall, I only managed this shot whilst there.

The Ferry Home

I spent ages staring at this luminous red ladder against the blue sky.The Sun setting over the Baltic Sea.

I was sad to leave Gotland but happy to be going back to Stockholm. I didn't expect to find any good photo opportunities on the ferry home but I guess it's always when you least expect it that things pop up.